Biological activity resulting from exposure to aquatic environmental genotoxic pollutants in northern Egypt

We estimated pollution in Lake Edku and the Mediterranean Sea, El-Maadiya Region, with 3 aromatic amines [1-naphthylamine, 2-naphthylamine and benzidine] in the muscle tissue of fish. There were marked seasonal variations in the aromatic amine levels. We also determined oxidative stress [blood glutathione, and catalase activity] and genotoxic effects [chromosomal aberrations and urinary metabolites] in fishermen from each area. The fishermen suffered from oxidative stress and had high levels of the urinary metabolite sulfanilamide [mean [microg/mg creatinine]: Lake Edku 20.7, Mediterranean 14.5, controls 5.3]. Frequencies for total chromosomal aberrations were significantly raised in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of fishermen in both areas [frequency [per 100 metaphases]: Mediterranean 67, Lake Edku 45, controls 14]

Association of polymorphism in both tryptophan 64 arginine of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene and TNF-alpha gene with features of the metabolic syndrome in Egyptians

Several candidate genes have been tested for their association with the metabolic syndrome. Among these genes, the Beta 3-Adrenergic receptor gene [ADRB3] and the TNF-alpha gene locus has been the object of many studies. Therefore the aim of this work was to investigate the possible association of the beta 3-Adrenergic Receptor Trp64Arg polymorphism and the -308G/A polymorphism in the promoter region of TNF-alpha, in a group of male Egyptians with features of the metabolic syndrome.30 male patients with features of metabolic syndrome [group I], fifteen age matched healthy males were included as controls [group II]. Patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination stressing on blood pressure, waist circumference, and waist/ hip [W/H] ratio; laboratory investigations included lipid profile [TG, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C], FBS, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR index, and molecular detection of Trp64Arg variant of the beta 3- adrenergic receptor as well as the TNF alpha gene promoter polymoprhism using RFLP-PCR in blood. The studied clinical parameters, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR index were significantly higher in group I than that observed in group II. There was no statistically significant difference between the beta 3- adrenergic receptor wild and mutant subjects among group I as regards the studied clinical parameters, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR index. While subjects harboring the A allele of the TNF alpha gene promoter showed significant higher levels of fasting insulin [p=0.002] fasting blood glucose, [p=0.014] and HOMA index [p < 0.001] as well as a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol levels [p=0.041]. In contrast, no association was found with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides levels between the different genotypes. The correlation between HOMA-IR index and other studied parameters was not statistically significant among group I. The beta-3-adrenergic receptor locus does not play an important role in the metabolic syndrome susceptibility or in the insulin resistance. While, the -308 G/A TNF-alpha gene variant might confer an increased risk for the development of insulin resistance

Stress mechanism - an emerging role for furosemide

The beneficial effect of furosemide in emergency treatment of acute left ventricular failure starts immediately with the intravenous administration before the occurrence of diuresis. Pulmonary-systemic redistribution of blood volume had been suggested in relieving the left ventricular strain. A central mechanism for furosemide could be suggested because; recent data point to furosemide high specificity and selectivity in antagonizing cerebral GABA neurotransmission and a state of neurohumoral imbalance was suggested in these patients. So this study was conducted to evaluate the potential role of furosemide in the physiological stress mechanism. The effect of a single intraperitoneal dose of furosemide [4mg/kg. of body weight] was tested in a model of emotional stress induced by ultrasound noise, on rat behavioral activity, serum corticosterone level together with the volume of diuresis. Ultrasound noise exposure in a frequency range of 30,000 Hz to 65,000 Hz led to a significant limitation of its activity [freezing reaction]. Serum corticosterone level and behavioral activity are increased significantly in furosemide treated non-stressed and stressed rats compared with both control or stressed group. The increase was marked in furosemide treated-stressed rats. The increase in serum corticosterone and behavioral activity by furosemide in stressed rats indicate a transformation of the stress state from [freezing reaction] to a state of a [defense reaction]. In conclusion; furosemide stimulates the central stress mechanism. This stimulation may be in favor of rapid and potent beneficial effect of furosemide inrecovery of neurohumoral imbalance in stress conditions which probably mediates the pituitary hypothalamic axis

Biochemical effects of vinyl chloride monomer on the liver of occupationally exposed workers

We investigated the effects of vinyl chloride monomer exposure on the liver of 86 workers by measuring beta-glucuronidase, arylsulfatase A, adenosine deaminase, 5'-nucleotidase and routine liver function enzymes in the sera of the workers. In 21 of them, three or more of these parameters were raised, with a significant decrease in the level of blood glutathione and a significant increase in the enzyme activity level of glutathione S-transferase. Of these 21 workers, 14 had fatty liver infiltration, 8 of whom were also suffering from liver enlargement. Also, 4 workers had liver enlargement without fatty infiltration and 3 had enlarged spleens. The study highlights the need for vigilance in environmental monitoring and medical surveillance of workers exposed to this chemical

Characteristics of the first febrile seizures and the risk of recurrence

This study included 112 infants and children below the age of 5 years who presented with the first or second febrile seizures. Besides adequate history and almost accurate description of the first febrile seizures, all children were carefully physically examined and investigated. Children were followed up for 1 year after the first seizure for evidence of recurrence. Results showed that, febrile seizures had its peak incidence in the second year of life, with male preponderance [58%], usually of the generalized tonic and clonic type [85%], of short duration, due to rapid elevation of body temperature [38-40C], and sometimes runs in families [37%]. The identified risk factors for recurrence included onset in the first year of life, long febrile seizures [FS] of more than 15 minutes, temperature less than 39C causing convulsions, short time to seizure, family history of FS, and some prenatal and neonatal problems. Children with these identified risk factors should be carefully evaluated and prophylaxis with anti-epileptic drugs may be considered

Evaluation of the five-flap technique for treatment of epicanthus and blepharophimosis

This study was done to evaluate a relatively new technique for treatment of epicanthus with or without ptosis and blepharophimosis syndrome. The operation is a combination of double opposing Z plasty at the apex of Y to V flaps and so named the 5-flap technique. Ten patients [20 eyes] were involved in this study. It was found that this operation is easier to perform than Mustarde technique. The results as a whole are encouraging but the resultant scar was disfiguring in 2 patients

Biochemical and histopathological studies on the effect of some pesticides on pancreas of male rats

The effects of two classes of insecticides were studied on the pancreas of male rats through an evaluation of blood Sugar level and serum amylase activity. Carbamate thiodicarb, represented by larvin in a single or repeated doses produced hyperglycemia, and showed a significant increase in the amylase activity. The synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin produce hyperglycemia after single dose, while repeated dose produce hypoglycemia. The amylase activity is significantly increased by single dose only, while repeated dose had no effect. This biochemical data was confirmed by histopathological changes in the pancreatic tissue, suggesting that these insecticides have a diabetogenic effect

Possible lexicological hazards of some insecticides on kynurenine metabolism in mice

The objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effect of a single and repeated doses of some organophosphorous insecticides, Viz. Gusathione A, Dimethoate and cyolaneond some pyrethroid insecticides, Viz permethvin and AC, 227-705 commonly used in Egypt, on the liver and kidney tryptophan metabolizing enzymes: Kynurenine hydrolase KH and kynurenine aminotransferase KATE. The present study indicated that the tested insecticides caused alterations in the kynurenine metabolism with marked difference observed in the response of liver and kidney enzymes. Since these insecticides either inhibit or activate the kynurenine metabolizing enzymes, therefore we expect that exposure to these insecticides might lead to the accumulation of some tryptophan metabolites which are suspected to act as carcinogens or cocarcinogens in the process of carcinogenes is occuring in these organs

Biochemical studies on the lipid levels and some lysosomal enzyme activities in atherosclerotic patients, with ischaemic manifestation in the limbs

In this study, the blood samples of 49 subjects were analyzed for serum cholesterol, lipoproteins, phospholipids and lysosomal enzymes B-glucuronidase and X-esterases. There was a significant increase in serum B-lipoprotein and phospholipids, while the X-lipoprotein, pre-B-lipoprotein and cholesterol were within the normal range. The enzyme activity of B-glucuronidase were within the normal range in the sera of mild and moderate ischemic limb patients, but there was a significant increase in the enzyme activity in the sera of severe ischemic limb

Neonatal serum B-glucuronidase activity and gestational age

B-glucuronidase activity was determined in the sera of blood samples obtained from the mothers at the onset of labour, placentae immediately after delivery and 9 preterm and 18 full term newborns. Neonatal body weights and gestational ages were assessed

Beta-glucuronidase: a diagnosis and prognostic method in evaluation of schistosomiasis of the liver

Serum beta-glucuronidase and the histopathology of the liver and spleen were studied in 56 individuals representing normal controls and the different stages of Schistosomiasis mansoni affection. The enzyme activity was found elevated in patients with uncomplicated mansoniasis. A more pronounced increase was found in patients having hepatosplenomegaly with mild liver fibrosis; while a highly significant decrease was encountered in patients with hepatosplenomegaly associated with severe liver fibrosis. These findings showed a good correlation with the histopathological findings. Beta-Glucuronidase measurement may be used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate stages of bilharzial affection